Regularly updated blog charting the most important albums of the last 50 years

Monday, November 26, 2007

440. Japan - Quiet Life (1979)

Track Listing

1. Quiet Life2. Fall In Love With Me3. Despair4. In Vogue5. Halloween6. All Tomorrow's Parties7. Alien8. Other Side Of Life

Review

When I first noticed this album on the list, I thought: 'Why?'. Not because it doesn't deserve to be here, but because there are two other Japan albums absent which really were more worthy than this one, Tin Drum and Gentlemen Take Polaroids. Then I heard this and I thought the same thing again.

Now, three days later of intensive listening to it I understand the why, but still like those two albums better, even though this one is kick-ass. This in 1979 and suddenly we are in 1984 with the whole 80's sound completely formed, and that is the reason why it is here on the list instead of those two other records.

You listen to the title track kicking off the album and suddenly you think Duran Duran. But then it is slower, more thoughtful and more complex and you start giving your time to it and realising that this is 1979, the 80's are around the corner but not here yet. And the New Romantics have started.

Everything is perfectly studied here, from the sound to the cover image. And it is astoundingly original. David Sylvian's voice is one of the best things you ever listened too, oozing with affected sensuality, a petulant, yet amused voice that fits the languorous music perfectly. This is a pretty great album, the only thing I didn't enjoy particularly was the cover of All Tomorrow's Parties, but hey, nothing is perfect.Track Highlights

1. The Other Side Of Life2. Quiet Life3. Despair4. In VogueFinal Grade

9/10

Trivia

From Wikipedia:

Though initially unsuccessful upon its release in the band's native UK (where it peaked at #53), the album sold steadily and was certified "Gold" by the BPI in 1984 for 100,000 copies sold.

Also initially unsuccessful, the title track and lead single "Quiet Life" would later be re-released and make the UK top 20 in 1981. Three other prominent tracks were also recorded and released by the band during this era and would later be re-released and become UK top 40 hits for the band in 1982, but were not included on the album ("Life In Tokyo", "European Son", and a cover of the Motown hit "I Second That Emotion" which would make the UK Top 10).